Newsletter No.156

++ NO2ID Supporters’ Newsletter No. 156 – 26th August 2010 ++

+ PARTY GAMES +

As we move into party conference season, it is time for NO2ID to see who in politics has really grasped our message – and to look forward. Have the Coalition’s fine words about rolling back the database state been fulfilled as action? Will the new Labour leader move the party from its authoritarian stance against personal privacy?

Though ContactPoint has now been switched off and the data is being securely deleted, ID cards are not yet dead. There are some encouraging signs – for example, the government has just announced it is scrapping the database being developed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) that was originally intended to be the ‘biographical’ component of the National Identity Register. But the Bill to abolish the ID scheme has not yet passed, despite the Coalition’s undertaking to get rid of ID cards in its first 100 days.

NO2ID is less worried about an arbitrary deadline than doing the job properly. In its current form the Identity Documents Bill has serious flaws, including the creation of a ’shadow register’ in a new legal category of “personal information”. Your representatives (perhaps party colleagues) should not be allowed to gloss over this. We look to the government to address these problems at Report stage and Third Reading in the Commons on 15th September.

Meanwhile, the Coalition has broken its promise to put patients in control of their health records. Hundreds of thousands of people are still having medical details uploaded to the Summary Care Record (SCR) system each month without their consent. The SCR does not deliver its claimed benefits. Over 80% of patients simply don’t know they have a choice to make. But ministers are ignoring the Coalition agreement and pursuing a process that the BMA has said should be stopped.

The Coalition’s actions, even at this early stage, are not consistent with its commitments. That ought to be a political liability for the government parties.

If you are attending any of the party conferences, please do get in touch with Phil Booth via e-mail on national.coordinator@no2id.net. Phil will let you know what NO2ID is doing at each conference, and may be able to meet with NO2ID supporters in each conference venue.

+ NO2ID Email Problems +

Apologies to anyone trying to e-mail us in the last week or so and who experienced problems. We’ve been trying to reduce the amount of spam or junk mail we receive and this had an unexpected knock-on effect of significantly delaying mail. If you did send an e-mail to the campaign between 16-25th August and haven’t received a response, please could you send your message again.
- Adam, for the Systems Team

What just happened?

+ Cabinet Office misprint or shape of things to come? +

Hidden away in the Cabinet Office ‘Draft Structural Reform Plan’, page 5, Action 3.4(i) is a very strange action item that reads: “Support Department for Education and Home Office in decommissioning / reshaping Contact Point and ID Cards”. This reference in the reform plan was not lost on David Moss (IT professional and author of ‘Dematerialised ID’ – an alternative proposal to ID cards (http://dematerialisedid.com)). Moss submitted written evidence to the Identity Documents Bill Public Committee as it scrutinised the bill. Moss pointed out that: “If the Identity Documents Bill were properly drafted” the effect on the previous government’s transformational government strategy “would be calamitous”. But he warns that the impact assessment of the Bill “suggests that the effect is only mild” and he goes on: “the fact that the Cabinet Office is already talking about reshaping ID cards rather than devising a new strategy that doesn’t rely on ID cards” – underlines the weakness of the bill as drafted. The bill passed through committee stage with no amendments. Transformational Government was part of the previous government’s grand vision for the wholesale abolition of privacy.
Read the reform plan at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/414879/srp-cabinet-office.pdf
Read Moss’s submission at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmpublic/identity/memo/mid08.htm

+ ContactPoint gone but Scotland still has GIRFEC +

ContactPoint may have gone but in Scotland they still have the ‘Getting It Right For Every Child’ (GIRFEC) programme. GIRFEC, like ContactPoint, is about the collection and sharing of data about children and beyond, for instance some of the data collected for GIRFEC Child Health records include: ‘Child and Family Details’, ‘Chronology of Significant Events’, ‘Immunisation Status’, ‘Changes to Child & Family Details’, ‘Mother’s Chronology of Significant Events’, ‘Family Member Health Care Plan Evaluation Form’, ‘Extraordinary Information’. Clearly there is more work still to be done to expose and roll back the database state.
See http://www.forhighlandschildren.org/htm/girfec/gir-publications/phnr-separate-forms&guidance-aug09/phnr-contents-list.pdf
and http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People/childrensservices/girfec/programme-overview

+ DNA survey and loaded questions +

We have been contacted by supporters who have completed the ongoing Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) DNA Database Survey. One supporter points out that some questions were far too black and white such as ‘Would you give your DNA voluntarily to help solve a crime?’ answer, yes or no. No option for anything in between such as it being dependent on no retention of the DNA. The supporter concludes: “Too many questionnaires are worked out to prevent people giving answers not required by those setting the questionnaire I think”.
The survey is online until 31st August at http://surveys.mpa.gov.uk/v.asp?i=23844lyrxl

What’s next?

++ Notice of Annual General Meeting ++
+ 23rd October – NO2ID Annual General Meeting +
The NO2ID Annual General Meeting 2010 will take place on Saturday 23rd October 2010, at 12 noon at 55 Tufton Street, LONDON SW1P 3QL (these are the premises that now house NO2ID’s administrative offices.) All paid up members of the Association and full affiliates are entitled to attend and vote.  This notice is being sent to all members and previous members for whom we have a current address.  For the purpose of the meeting the membership roll will be taken at midday on Friday 8th October 2010, so if your membership/affiliation has lapsed or will lapse by the date of the AGM, please renew before that date (early renewals will be counted as extensions of your present membership).  Written nominations for the Advisory Board, the governing body of the Association, should be proposed and seconded by members in good standing and sent to The Secretary, NO2ID , Box 412, 19/21 Crawford Street LONDON W1H 1PJ to arrive before close of business on Friday 8th October 2010. In order that the business of the meeting may be better conducted we would appreciate it if any motions for consideration of the meeting were presented in writing in advance of the meeting, but there is no obligation so to do.

+ Before 31st August – Take part in Metropolitan Police Authority DNA Database Survey +
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) want to know your views on the National DNA Database and the use of DNA in policing. The survey closes on Tuesday 31 August 2010. The review will be published on the MPA website once completed. You can complete the questionnaire online or by calling 020 7202 0233 to request a paper copy (with freepost envelope) or telephone questionnaire.
To take part visit http://surveys.mpa.gov.uk/v.asp?i=23844lyrxl

+ 11th September – Open Tech 2010 sponsored by data.gov.uk +
Saturday 11th September – ULU, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY. 40 talks across 3 tracks over 7 hours, on crowds, earthquakes and battlefronts, which hope to challenge, inspire or talk about something that makes you want to get involved.  OpenTech 2010 includes earthquakes of the metaphorical and physical kind, ForTheWin, enlightenment and the environment, and with plenty of time to talk in the bar after sessions which challenge, inspire or talk about something that makes you want to help how you can. The last two times we have sold out in advance, so you are strongly advised to pre-register. Tickets only £5, students Free Entry. See http://www.ukuug.org/events/opentech2010/

+ Date TBC – Identity Documents Bill 3rd Reading +
The Identity Documents Bill has now completed its Committee Stage and will next have its Report Stage and 3rd Reading in the House of Commons before moving on to the House of Lords. Follow the bill’s progress at http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/identitydocuments.html

“ID” in the news

+ More than 200 public sector staff caught snooping on citizen records – Computer Weekly 25/8/10 +
The number of public sector workers caught snooping on personal records in the government’s largest citizen database continues to grow, with the total now 225 – and the true figure could be higher still.
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/08/25/242514/More-than-200-public-sector-staff-caught-snooping-on-citizen.htm

+ New passport design unveiled – Yahoo News 25/8/10 +
The Home Office has revealed details of the new UK passport including enhanced security features and images of popular UK tourist attractions.
http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-3359736

+ Home Office unveils new UK passport – The Register 25/8/10 +
The Home Office has said that new UK passports with ’strengthened security features’ will be issued from October. To make the passports more secure, the chip which stores the holder’s details has been moved to the inside of the passport cover so it will no longer be visible, the Home Office said.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/25/new_passport/

+ Human Recognition Systems to partner with Thales in Home Office programme – RealWire 25/8/10 +
Human Recognition Systems to partner with Thales in a Home Office programme to find the airport security technology of the future
http://www.realwire.com/releases/Human-Recognition-Systems-to-partner-with-Thales-in-a-Home-Office-programme-to-find-the-airport-security-technology-of-the-future

+ ID cards not ‘history within 100 days’ – Public Service 24/8/10 +
ID card scrapping is late, but campaigners hope this is a sign of ‘a proper job’ from the government. On coming to power Home Secretary Theresa May said that the abolition of ID cards was a priority.
http://www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=13928

+ Citizen data sharing system abandoned – Computing 23/8/10 +
The government has decided not to go ahead with long-standing plans to create a database containing the personal records of every UK citizen.
http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2268594/citizen-sharing-system

+ Minister hints that libel reform will create privacy law – The Register 18/8/10 +
A justice minister has said that there is “consensus” that a privacy law is needed, though he stopped short of committing the government to introducing one. A fellow senior Liberal Democrat said Parliament needed to “get hold” of privacy law
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/18/mcnally_libel_privacy/

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter – Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

To see if there’s a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localgroups/
Or, if you’re interested in starting a group yourself, please contact James on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what’s involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Brighton +

+16th September – Brighton Screening of Erasing David+
On Thursday 16th September, 7.30pm at The Caroline Of Brunswick pub (Upstairs), 39 Ditchling Road, Brighton – Brighton NO2ID is hosting a screening of Erasing David – a documentary that follows the life of film-maker David Bond, who upon receiving a letter from HMRC informing him that his daughter’s details were amongst the 25 million lost by the child benefit agency, embarks on a journey to discover just how much information is held about him by government and private companies. We are pleased to announce that the film-maker David Bond and the producer Ashley Jones will be joined by Phil Booth, National co-ordinator for NO2ID  at this event to discuss both making the film and the continued fight to protect people from the Database State. There will be a suggested donation for entry, please contact brighton@no2id.net for further information and to enquire about booking a limited seat.

+ Cambridge +

The Cambridge group is planning a celebration when the bill abolishing the ID Cards scheme is actually passed. This now seems likely to be in October or November. Watch this space for details …

+ Camden & Islington +

+ 7th September – Camden & Islington (1st Tuesday of month) – 8.00pm +
At The Kings Head (probably in the beer garden at the back), 59 Essex Rd, Islington.  All welcome.

For more info email camden@no2id.net or join the mailing list at: (http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.camden).

+ Dorking +

+ 5th September – Dorking NO2ID Celebration Party  – NEW DATE+
Our celebration to mark the end of ID Cards will now be on 5th September at Keepers Cottage, Wellhouse Lane, Betchworth RH3 7HH, from 1.30pm.

If you would like to help or get involved with the Dorking group, contact Geoff Cox (dorking@no2id.net or 01306 631377).

+ Edinburgh +

+ Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – Edinburgh NO2ID Street Stall +
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel.  Do drop by for a chat.  New volunteers – please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ Manchester +

Augusts’s street stall and meeting were cancelled but things should be back to normal in September.

For information on Manchester NO2ID see http://manchester.no2id.net/ or contact Dave Page on manchester@no2id.net or 07722 615 398.

+ Norwich +

If you are interested in the work of the Norwich group, please join their mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.norwich

You can change how you receive our newsletter, or cancel it, by using the ‘Unsubscribe or edit options’ form at the bottom of this page:

http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id-supporters

If you have any problems, please send an e-mail to listmaster@no2id.net

Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 – This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.

NO2ID, Box 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, LONDON W1H 1PJ

categories Uncategorized | charles | 2010-08-26 | comments Comments (0)

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Newsletter No.155

++ NO2ID Supporters’ Newsletter No. 155 – 12th August 2010 ++

+ HAS THE COALITION ADOPTED THE DATABASE STATE? +

Up to now NO2ID has had reason to be pleased with the new government. It may not have moved as certainly or as far as we would like on mass surveillance projects, but it has shown willing, quickly cutting back the ID scheme and cancelling ContactPoint. But this week’s
pre-announcement of the idea of using credit-reference agencies to detect benefit fraud is a sign that the ideas of “Transformational Government” have not vanished from Whitehall alongside the terminology.

No-one wants to promote fraud. But that does not mean anything claimed to be an anti-fraud measure is worth its other consequences. The details of the scheme are very sketchy so far, but NO2ID will be taking a very close interest in the costs to privacy as well as the cost-effectiveness of any mass data-sharing that it involves. Fishing expeditions to turn up suspects are a very different matter from targeted investigations. ‘Computer says no,’ would be a weird way to run a welfare system.

We need to be alert to how information about individuals is used. It must be limited to one purpose, not passed on in detail to government departments where there will be a temptation to find other uses. Nor must the contractors be rewarded without responsibility. They should be subject to the same data-protection spot-checks as would DWP doing the same work for itself. And if they are to be paid a bounty for catching fraudsters, then we should also ask about compensation for intrusions and erroneous accusations against honest people.

Turning to databases and information-sharing as a magic answer to intractable old problems was a bad habit of the previous administration. If the Cameron government takes up that habit, then NO2ID will fight it every step of the way.

What just happened?

+ ContactPoint switch off and the Database State +

William Heath from the IdealGovernment website was interviewed on the BBC’s Today programme last week about the switch off of the ContactPoint database. When asked why ContactPoint was created Heath said: “I think it was muddled thinking, I think there was an idea that huge technology systems, huge centralised databases would solve all society’s social problems. It met the politicians fallacy of something must be done, here is something – but it was profoundly ill conceived.” Heath is a founder of MyDex, a community interest company set up to help people to protect and realise the value of their personal data as they transact online. On the Database State Heath said: “We should see it in terms of a problem of data logistics. The idea that all the organisations we deal with can gather ever larger amounts of personal data about us and that this will somehow determine our needs and preferences and keep us safe is a fallacy.” When host John Humphreys threw out the well worn “nothing to hide, nothing to fear”, Heath responded: “I think that those who think they have nothing to hide aren’t living life properly and ought to be ashamed of themselves.”
Listen to the short interview at http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8891000/8891551.stm

+ Credit agencies and data mining +

The government announced this week that it plans to use data obtained by credit reference agencies to gather evidence of benefit fraud. In his book ‘No Place to Hide’, Robert O’Harrow Jr. looks at companies that harvest databases for data matching and profiling in the United States. The government has stated that what the credit agencies do is perfectly legal. In a 1998 Washington Post article O’Harrow wrote about a credit agency in the USA called Acxiom, he wrote: “What Acxiom does is perfectly legal – bringing together an array of facts from scattered sources. But the phenomenon known as “data warehousing” or “datamining” represents yet another example of how traditional notions of personal privacy have become obsolete, outstripped by technology’s ability to peer into personal lives.”
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/frompost/march98/privacy8.htm
and http://noplacetohide.net/

+ Comic book explores surveillance and personal data +

A comic book called “Under surveillance” described as “an information and awareness tool for young adults” is available to download from the European Digital Rights (EDRi) website. The comic was created within the European project “Sensitization and information of young European citizens on the protection of their personal data” and was coordinated by the French League of Human Rights (LDH), in partnership with the European Association for the Defense of Human Rights (AEDH), European Digital Rights (EDRi), the Czech association Iuridicum Remedium (IuRe) and the Spanish association Comunicació per a la Cooperació (Pangea).
See http://www.edri.org/campaigns/comic-book-under-surveillance

What’s next?

+ Before 31st August – Take part in Metropolitan Police Authority DNA Database Survey +
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) want to know your views on the National DNA Database and the use of DNA in policing. The survey closes on Tuesday 31 August 2010. The review will be published on the MPA website once completed. You can complete the questionnaire online or by calling 020 7202 0233 to request a paper copy (with freepost envelope) or telephone questionnaire.
To take part visit http://surveys.mpa.gov.uk/v.asp?i=23844lyrxl

+ Date TBC – Identity Documents Bill 3rd Reading +
The Identity Documents Bill has now completed its Committee Stage and will next have its Report Stage and 3rd Reading in the House of Commons before moving on to the House of Lords. Follow the bill’s progress at http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/identitydocuments.html

“ID” in the news

+ NHS patient record leaflet campaign halted – Channel 4 News 12/8/10 +
The Government has ordered health authorities to stop mailing out information leaflets on the system designed to put patient records on to a central computer system because of concerns that it did not make it clear how people could opt out.
See http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/nhs+patient+record+leaflet+campaign+halted/3741962

+ ICO warns coalition on benefits snooping plan – The Register 11/8/10 +
The Information Commissioner has asked coalition ministers to explain their plans to use credit reference agencies to gather evidence of benefit fraud, citing privacy concerns. Christopher Graham today said he has requested a meeting with the welfare minister Lord Freud.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/11/experian_benefits/

+ Privacy fears over the benefit bounty hunters – Daily Mail 11/8/10 +
Ministers are to press ahead with controversial plans to use private sector ‘bounty hunters’ to track down benefit cheats, despite concerns about the impact on civil liberties. David Cameron yesterday confirmed Government plans to use credit agencies to trawl through the records of benefit claimants to look for evidence of extra income.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1301898/David-Cameron-says-credit-firms-best-way-catch-fraudsters.html

+ Where’s the benefit in private sector chasing welfare cheats? – The Herald 11/8/10 +
The Tories objected to the multi-billion-pound cost and fretted a little over civil liberties. The LibDems inveighed against the surveillance society and objected, as a footnote, to mad bureaucratic extravagance.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/ian-bell/where-s-the-benefit-in-private-sector-chasing-welfare-cheats-1.1047529

+ Databases can’t fix society. But society can fix the databases – Ideal Government 8/8/10 +
The closure of ContactPoint and the onset of the Databankendämmerung is – let’s say it again – cause for celebration. It’s also cause for congratulation to those who campaigned long and hard, with negligeable resources, against the brick wall of prevailing wisdom to get rid of it.
http://idealgovernment.com/2010/08/databases-cant-fix-society-but-society-can-fix-the-databases/

+ ContactPoint database was ’surrogate ID card for children’, says minister – The Telegraph 7/8/10 +
Labour’s controversial child protection database has been switched off, with a minister dismissing it as a “surrogate ID card scheme”.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/7930552/ContactPoint-database-was-surrogate-ID-card-for-children-says-minister.html

+ UK.gov finally kills ContactPoint – The Register 7/8/10 +
So, farewell then, ContactPoint, the database we never quite came to love. In the end, it was victim to straitened economic circumstances and lacking the courage of its own convictions
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/07/contactpoint_dead/

+ Decision day arrives for CfH and NPfIT – e-Health Insider 5/8/10 +
The National Programme for IT in the NHS is set to end in its current guise, with plans tabled for further deep cuts, and the name NHS Connecting for Health to be dropped.
http://www.e-health-insider.com/news/6136/decision_day_arrives_for_cfh_and_npfit

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter – Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

To see if there’s a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localgroups/
Or, if you’re interested in starting a group yourself, please contact James on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what’s involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Brighton +

+16th September – Brighton Screening of Erasing David+
On Thursday 16th September, 7.30pm at The Caroline Of Brunswick pub (Upstairs), 39 Ditchling Road, Brighton – Brighton NO2ID are hosting a screening of Erasing David a documentary that follows the life of film-maker David Bond, who upon receiving a letter from HMRC informing him that his daughter’s details were amongst the 25 million lost by the child benefit agency, embarks on a journey to discover just how much information is held about him by government and private companies. We are pleased to announce that the film-maker David Bond and the producer Ashley Jones will be joined by Phil Booth, National co-ordinator for NO2ID  at this event to discuss both making the film and the continued fight to protect people from the Database State. There will be a suggested donation for entry, please contact brighton@no2id.net for further information and to enquire about booking a limited seat.

+ Cambridge +

The Cambridge group is planning a celebration when the bill abolishing the ID Cards scheme is actually passed. This now seems likely to be in October or November. Watch this space for details …

+ Camden & Islington +

+ 7th September – Camden & Islington (1st Tuesday of month) – 8.00pm +
At The Kings Head (probably in the beer garden at the back), 59 Essex Rd, Islington.  All welcome.

For more info email camden@no2id.net or join the mailing list at: (http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.camden).

+ Dorking +

+ 5th September – Dorking NO2ID Celebration Party  – NEW DATE+
Our celebration to mark the end of ID Cards will now be on 5th September at Keepers Cottage, Wellhouse Lane, Betchworth RH3 7HH, from 1.30pm.

If you would like to help or get involved with the Dorking group, contact Geoff Cox (dorking@no2id.net or 01306 631377).

+ Edinburgh +

+ Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – Edinburgh NO2ID Street Stall +
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel.  Do drop by for a chat.  New volunteers – please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ Manchester +

+ 8th August – Cancelled – Manchester NO2ID Monthly Meeting +
This month’s street stall and meeting has been cancelled. Things should be back to normal in September.

For information on Manchester NO2ID see http://manchester.no2id.net/ or contact Dave Page on manchester@no2id.net or 07722 615 398.

+ Norwich +

If you are interested in the work of the Norwich group, please join their mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.norwich

+ Sheffield +

+ 25th August – Sheffield NO2ID Meeting +
Wednesday 25th August, 7.30pm at the Harlequin pub, 108 Nursery St, Sheffield, S3 8GG (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=s3+8gg). This meeting is to discuss Sheffield NO2ID’s future priorities and direction in tackling the Database State under the new government. The meeting room is upstairs. We usually congregate in the bar shortly before the meeting. Please ask the bar staff if you can’t find us.

You can change how you receive our newsletter, or cancel it, by using the ‘Unsubscribe or edit options’ form at the bottom of this page:

http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id-supporters

If you have any problems, please send an e-mail to listmaster@no2id.net

Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 – This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.

NO2ID, Box 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, LONDON W1H 1PJ

categories Uncategorized | charles | 2010-08-12 | comments Comments (1)

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Newsletter No.154

++ NO2ID Supporters’ Newsletter No. 154 – 29th July 2010 ++

+ WHERE ARE WE NOW? +

Parliament is in recess, so now is a good time to take stock of the coalition’s few weeks in office. Has the database state rolled back?

The Identity Documents Bill – which will repeal the Identity Cards Act – is still in the Commons. Some improvements have been made, but the threat of officially registered identity, a ’shadow Register’, remains. And much of the infrastructure is still being built on other Home Office pretexts. How many ID-scheme contracts will the Coalition terminate?

It *has* just sacked the lead contractor of the e-Borders programme, shutting down development temporarily. We are delighted to report that ContactPoint will end at noon on August 6th, with all data to be deleted safely.

Unfortunately the Coalition’s actions are not consistent. Last week, more people’s medical details were added to the Summary Care Record system than in any single week to date – 132,000. Most won’t even have known they had a chance to make a choice. Saying you’ll “give patients control of their records” while allowing well over half a million people’s details to be sucked into a system that gives it irrevocably to NHS management  is not just breaking a promise. It shows the bureaucracy is still in control.

We can only hope the promised Freedom Bill will be better. That the million innocent people will be removed from the DNA database soon. But with retention of internet and e-mail records, ANPR, and dozens of other information sharing schemes still going forwards,  there’s plenty still to put right.

NO2ID will be working hard over the summer.  The database state hasn’t gone away and neither should we.

Thank you as ever for your support – it will be needed more than ever as we begin to push for positive protections and effective safeguards to secure the individual privacy against the database state.

What just happened?

+ ContactPoint database scrapped +

The government has announced that from noon on 6th August, all access to the ContactPoint database – the centralised index of every child and family in England – will be shut off and the data destroyed within two months of the closure. Terri Dowty, of Action for Rights for Children (ARCH) said: “An enormous range of systems has been developed for monitoring children in an attempt to predict whether they will become criminals, get pregnant or fail their exams. These must also go, so that we can turn our attention back to genuine child protection.” There are fears that local authorities may seek to introduce substitute systems, creating a patchwork of systems, with even fewer constraints and weaker oversight.

+ Identity Documents Bill to be passed by December (or sooner…) +

As parliament entered summer recess this week, the government laid out its plans in a document entitled ‘Political Reform Draft Structural Reform Plan’. In the civil liberties section it states: “Take Identity Documents Bill through parliament to scrap ID cards and the National Identity Register and halt work on having fingerprints on passports”, with an end date of December 2010, though the plan also says: “We have adopted a cautious view of the timescales for delivering all legislative  measures due to the unpredictability of pressures on Parliamentary time.” The government had originally wanted to get the bill through before the summer holidays. Let’s hope continued delay will allow time to address NO2ID’s concerns about the bill’s content.
Download the document at http://www.number10.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/Draft-Political-Reform-SRP.pdf

+ Talk amongst yourselves – who wrote ID card website comments? +

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has finally responded to a Freedom of Information request relating to quotes on the ‘Using your identity card’ web page. The IPS was asked how many of the people quoted on the web page “work for IPS, the Home Office or any other government department or agency?” Their response: “We can confirm that eight of the nine people quoted on the website at the time either worked for the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), the Home Office or another government department or agency.”
See http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/quotes_on_using_your_identity_ca
The original web page is at:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100304151554/http://ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1436.htm

+ ICO says okay for GPs to begin a mass opt-out of patients +

Hampshire GP, Dr Neil Bhatia reports that the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has provided some guidance for GPs who wish to opt out their patients en masse from the Summary Care Records system. The ICO regards the en masse opting-out of patients as “processing of data” and so as such it falls under the Data Protection Act. Accordingly, patients must be informed that this is happening – fair processing information must be provided. This allows GPs to switch to what is effectively an opt-in model for the care record.
See http://www.neilb.demon.co.uk/download/ICO_ENQ0322622.pdf
For more information on Summary care Records see http://www.no2id.net/downloads/SCR_bad_idea.pdf

+ Summary Care Records Motion support continues to grow slowly +

An Early Day Motion (EDM 186) introduced in the House of Commons calling on the government to halt all Summary Care Record uploads is still slowly gaining the support. If you have not already done so please consider writing to your MP asking them to sign Early Day Motion 186.
Read the motion at http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41109&SESSION=905

What’s next?

+ Before 31st August – Take part in Metropolitan Police Authority DNA Database Survey +
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) want to know your views on the National DNA Database and the use of DNA in policing. The survey closes on Tuesday 31 August 2010. The review will be published on the MPA website once completed. You can complete the questionnaire online or by calling 020 7202 0233 to request a paper copy (with freepost envelope) or telephone questionnaire.
To take part visit http://surveys.mpa.gov.uk/v.asp?i=23844lyrxl

+ Date TBC – Identity Documents Bill 3rd Reading +
The Identity Documents Bill has now completed its Committee Stage and will next have its Report Stage and 3rd Reading in the House of Commons before moving on to the House of Lords.Follow the bill’s progress at http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/identitydocuments.html

“ID” in the news

+ ID card astroturf – NO2ID beats the truth out of IPS – The Register 29/7/10 +
A cackling Phil Booth, NO2ID National Coordinator, writes to tell us that six months after he first pestered the Identity & Passport Service about its quotes from ID card-toting happy campers in its publicity material, it has confessed – um yes, all but one of those quoted worked for the government.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/29/ips_id_card_astroturf/

+ No ID, no vote – Daily Mail 28/7/10 +
Voters should be required to present proof of identity when they go to the polls as part of a massive overhaul of Britain’s voting system, the official elections watchdog said today.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1297933/Watchdog-calls-immediate-action-prevent-repeat-election-chaos.html

+ Boycott the electronic patient record, senior GP urges others – Daily Telegraph 28/7/10 +
Dr Paul Cundy, former chairman of the British Medical Association’s IT committee has urged GPs across the country to block the uploading of patient records at their surgeries.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7912895/Boycott-the-electronic-patient-record-senior-GP-urges-others.html

+  Fresh concerns over e-borders scheme – Manx radio 26/7/10 +
Fresh problems with the UK government’s e-borders scheme approved by Tynwald earlier this month could mean huge changes to the way it’s set up. So says long-standing critic of the plan Tristram Llewellyn Jones after the UK government sacked contractor Raytheon Systems. The company was fired after it admitted work to create a database of traveller’s movements and information was at least a year behind schedule.
http://www.manxradio.com/newsread.aspx?id=46515

+ The danger of a national NHS database – Daily Telegraph 26/7/10 +
Three’s no point in participating in the NHS database when no one is responsible for ensuring records are accurate or relevant.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthadvice/jameslefanu/7907482/The-danger-of-a-national-NHS-database.html

+ Yorkshire police plan mobile fingerprint scanners – Kable 20/7/10 +
South Yorkshire Police is planning to equip some officers with fingerprint scanners to use with BlackBerrys at the end of the year.
http://www.kable.co.uk/west-yorkshire-barnsley-police-mobile-fingerprint-scanners-20jul10

+ Fears over new EU snooping powers for police – Daily Telegraph 16/7/10 +
The proposed power would allow officers from an EU country to demand information on anyone they suspect of an offence, no matter how minor or whether it is even criminal in the UK. The directive would see UK police almost powerless to prevent the handing over of personal details such as DNA, bank account or even telephone records.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/7893047/Fears-over-new-EU-snooping-powers-for-police.html

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter – Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

To see if there’s a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localgroups/
Or, if you’re interested in starting a group yourself, please contact James on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what’s involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Cambridge +

Cambridge NO2ID media coverage
Cambridge NO2ID got news coverage in the local papers this week when we welcomed the announcement of the switch-off date for ContactPoint:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Campaigners-delighted-as-224m-child-database-axed.htm

The Cambridge group is planning a celebration when the bill abolishing the ID Cards scheme is actually passed. It now looks as though this will be after parliament’s summer recess, in September. Watch this space for details …

+ Camden & Islington +

+ 3rd August – Camden & Islington (1st Tuesday of month) +
8.00pm at The Kings Head (in the beer garden), 59 Essex Rd, Islington.  All welcome.

For more info email camden@no2id.net or join the mailing list at: (http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.camden).

+ Dorking +

+ 8th August – Dorking NO2ID Celebration Party +
No monthly meeting for August – instead we are having a celebration party on Sunday 8th August in Betchworth. More details on application, but hopefully I’ll be in touch with everyone who has helped out over the last two and a half years.

If you would like to help or get involved with the Dorking group, contact Geoff Cox (dorking@no2id.net or 01306 631377).

+ Glasgow +

Identity guidelines delayed
Publication of the Scottish Government’s Identity Management and Privacy Guidelines has now been delayed until Autumn 2010 – they were previously  expected to be ready for this summer. Further information about the  guidelines is available on the Scottish Government’s website:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/PublicServiceReform/efficientgovernment/DIMPPolicy

+ Edinburgh +

+ Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – Edinburgh NO2ID Street Stall +
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel.  Do drop by for a chat.  New volunteers – please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ Manchester +

+ 8th August – Manchester NO2ID Monthly Meeting +
Saturday 8th August, 1-2pm, at The Moon Under Water, Deansgate, Manchester. The pub is just opposite St Ann’s Square and serves food.

For information on Manchester NO2ID see http://manchester.no2id.net/ or contact Dave Page on manchester@no2id.net or 07722 615 398.

+ Norwich +

If you are interested in the work of the Norwich group, please join their mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.norwich

You can change how you receive our newsletter, or cancel it, by using the ‘Unsubscribe or edit options’ form at the bottom of this page:

http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id-supporters

If you have any problems, please send an e-mail to listmaster@no2id.net

Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 – This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.

NO2ID, Box 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, LONDON W1H 1PJ

categories Uncategorized | charles | 2010-07-30 | comments Comments (0)

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Newsletter No.153

++ NO2ID Supporters’ Newsletter No. 153 – 15th July 2010 ++

+ UNFINISHED BUSINESS +

The Identity Documents Bill – the legislation to repeal the Identity Cards Act 2006 – will shortly move to ‘Report and Third Reading’ in the House of Commons.

For those of you who haven’t followed the progress of the various Bills that NO2ID has fought over the past 6 years, this means that the draft legislation has been considered by a cross-party Committee of MPs and will be voted on one more time by the whole House of Commons before being sent to the House of Lords.

Unfortunately, though NO2ID identified some serious problems with the Bill as originally drafted – by the Home Office – and has briefed MPs and members of the government on those problems, they have NOT yet been fixed.

Those who are interested in the detail may wish to read our briefing [1] but, put bluntly, the Bill as currently drafted will create a shadow of the National Identity Register (not an actual Register, but the essence of one) in relation to every ‘identity document’ in circulation – a list of information that potentially must, under criminal penalties, be kept in line with an official truth.

We clearly don’t want this, and will continue to work on getting the Bill fixed.

There is a great danger that the Coalition’s first piece of legislation will fail to achieve its stated objectives, were the Act supposed to dismantle the National Identity Scheme to end up preserving some of the more malign features of the Scheme.

Were the Identity Documents Bill to pass in its current form, rather than the complete victory on ‘ID cards’ that everyone seems to be assuming, we fear we shall be left with serious unfinished business.

Links:
[1] http://www.no2id.net/IDSchemes/2010-06-08-identity-documents-bill-briefing.pdf

What just happened?

+ Identity Documents bill Committee Stage concludes +

The Identity Documents bill completed its Committee Stage on 6th July after just five sittings and with no amendments made to the bill as drafted. Meg Hillier MP (former Identity Minister) was on top form as usual. She told the committee that she received a letter from an irate ID card guinea pig who was upset that he would not receive a refund for the defunct card, he told Hillier: “Please do what is necessary to kill this bill.” Hillier lamented: “I have had to let Mr Turberville down, in that we are not killing the bill as a whole, because we recognise the democratic process”. Hillier proposed an amendment to make issued cards remain valid until they expire, which was defeated 10 votes to 7. At the end of the final committee session Hillier, upset that the UK population will not be fingerprinted in line with the previous government’s plans, issued a science fiction baddie-style warning: “I wish to put on the record that the Opposition will look to pursue what we do about security of identity documents when we are, one day, again in Government, which may be sooner than the Minister hopes.” Don’t have nightmares.
Listen to the last two committee sessions at:
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6407
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6428

+ Summary Care Records too open and transparent +

Health Minister Simon Burns has been issuing cut and paste standard responses to many NO2ID supporters worried about the government’s U-turn on Summary Care Records. Burns says: “Our view is that both patients and clinicians should be able to access patient records in an electronic form. This is part of our thinking about making information transparent and available, and involve patients in decisions about their healthcare.” What Burns seems to miss is that the electronic records system that is the Summary Care Record is far too “open and transparent” – that’s the problem! In 2005, the Foundation for Information Policy Research (fipr) in their response to an NHS Confidentiality Consultation said: “FIPR believes that no one in central government – whether ministers, DoH [Department of Health] officials or NHS central managers – should have access to identifiable health information on the whole UK population. This is backed up by studies showing that although patients trust their carers with medical information, the majority do not trust NHS administrators.”
Read fipr’s full response at http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/fiprmedconf.html

+ Policy laundering and not scrapped enough ID cards +

As we have reported previously, the Identity Documents bill currently making its way through parliament does not scrap ID cards for foreign nationals (otherwise known as biometric visas). The UK Identity and Passport Service’s Frequently Asked Questions on the cancellation of ID cards claims that “European law requires non-EEA foreign nationals to be provided with biometric residence permits”. The law they are referring to is Council Regulation (EC) No 380/2008, but there’s one small point they forgot to mention – that the UK only has to follow this regulation because the previous government asked to be bound by it. The regulation applies to member states implementing the Schengen Convention – of which Britain is not one. This technique of volunteering to be bound by an EU law so that you can claim that you have to do something to comply with an EU law is known as policy laundering and it raises questions as to why the new government has not exposed the previous government’s double dealing.
Read the EU regulation at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:115:0001:01:EN:HTML

+ Summary Care Records Motion continues to slowly gain support +

An Early Day Motion (EDM 186) introduced in the House of Commons calling on the government to halt all Summary Care Record updates has gained the support of a few more MPs since the last newsletter. If you have not already done so please consider writing to your MP asking them to sign Early Day Motion 186.
Read the motion at http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41109&SESSION=905

+ NO2ID London Coordinator +
Lawrence Gould has been appointed NO2ID London Coordinator, with responsibility for ID Action and targeted campaign activities across London.

What’s next?

+ 22nd July – ID Action relaunch drinks, London +
Thursday, 22nd July from 7pm at The Dartmouth Castle, 26 Glenthorne Road, London W6 0LS (http://www.thedartmouthcastle.co.uk/; nearest tube Hammersmith – Piccadilly, District, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines). To relaunch ID Action join Lawrence Gould (London coordinator) and Phil Booth (national coordinator) for drinks, a catch-up and an outlining of NO2ID’s new strategy. Campaigns always operate better when conducted by people who know and like each other, so if you haven’t had a chance to meet other volunteers, please come along and bring anyone who you think may be interested.

+ Date TBC – Identity Documents Bill 3rd Reading +
The Identity Documents bill has now completed its Committee Stage and will next have its Report Stage and 3rd Reading in the House of Commons before moving on to the House of Lords.Follow the bill’s progress at http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/identitydocuments.html

+ 24th July – Open Rights Group Conference +
On Saturday 24th July The Open Rights Group (ORG) will be holding the ORGCon conference in London. The event is describe as “the first ever conference dedicated to digital rights in the UK”. Top of the agenda at ORGCon is tackling the Digital Economy Act and the new Government. Also in the agenda will be a discussion ‘Dismantling the Database State’ with speakers including Phil Booth (NO2ID), Terry Dowty (ARCH) and Alex Deane (Big Brother Watch).
Location: College Building, City University London, St John St, London EC1
Tickets and further details: http://orgcon.eventbrite.com/

“ID” in the news

+ Government to review powers to intercept electronic communications – Computer Weekly 14/7/10 +
State powers to intercept electronic communications will be scrutinised in an urgent review of counter-terrorism legislation, the government said, fulfilling a pre-election promise to reverse the erosion of civil liberties under the Labour government.
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/07/14/241968/government-to-review-powers-to-intercept-electronic-communications.htm

+ Coalition spends £3.75m on ContactPoint – The Register 13/7/10 +
A minister has revealed that the government spent £3.75m over two months on the soon to be scrapped children’s database. Conservative education minister Tim Loughton said that because ContactPoint “remains in limited operation”, the Department for Education paid £3.75m to cover the costs of operating the database from April to June 2010.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/13/coalition_contactpoint/

+ NHS National Programme for IT set for major changes- Computer Weekly 12/7/10 +
The controversial £12bn NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT) looks set for a major overhaul as a result of the reorganisation of the health service announced by the government today.
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/07/12/241942/NHS-National-Programme-for-IT-set-for-major-changes.htm

+ BMA calls for halt to SCR uploads – eHealth Insider 12/7/10 +
BMA GP representatives are calling on the government to halt the uploading of any more Summary Care Records while a review of the programme takes place.
http://www.e-health-insider.com/news/6069/bma_calls_for_halt_to_scr_uploads

+ Hillier appeals to transgender community to save ID cards – The Register 12/7/10 +
New Labour never give up. Even out of government, they are still looking for groups of individuals who, they believe, are just salivating at the prospect of the chance to carry a shiny new ID card.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/12/hillier_id_cards/

+ Almost £100m spent on fast-growing SCR – eHealth Insider 7/7/10 +
Two hundred thousand Summary Care Records were created in a seven day period in June, as the Department of Health considered the scheme as part of its review of the use of IT in the NHS.
http://www.e-health-insider.com/news/6057/almost_%C2%A3100m_spent_on_fast-growing_scr

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter – Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

To see if there’s a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localgroups/
Or, if you’re interested in starting a group yourself, please contact James on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what’s involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Cambridge +

The Cambridge group is planning a celebration when the bill abolishing the ID Cards scheme is actually passed. Watch this space for details …

+ Camden & Islington +

+ 3rd August – Camden & Islington NO2ID Monthly Meeting (1st Tuesday of month) +
Tuesday 3rd August, 8.00pm at The Kings Head (in the beer garden at the back), 59 Essex Rd, Islington for Camden & Islington NO2ID’s first Tuesday of the month meeting. All welcome. For more info email camden@no2id.net or join the mailing list at: (http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.camden).

+ Dorking +

+ 8th August – Dorking NO2ID Celebration Party +
No monthly meeting for August – instead we are having a celebration party on Sunday 8th August in Betchworth. More details on application, but hopefully I’ll be in touch with everyone who has helped out over the last two and a half years.

If you would like to help or get involved with the Dorking group, contact Geoff Cox (dorking@no2id.net or 01306 631377).

+ Edinburgh +

+ Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – Edinburgh NO2ID Street Stall +
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel.  Do drop by for a chat.  New volunteers – please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ Manchester +

+ 24th July – MULE Writer’s Day +
Saturday 24th July, 1pm to 4pm at International Anthony Burgess Foundation, The Engine House, Chorlton Mill, Cambridge Street, Manchester, M1 5BY. MULE will be holding a day of training and workshops entitled “Introduction to Feature Writing & Investigative skills”. MULE is a Manchester based not-for-profit independent media project, looking to promote social justice by getting out the news and views you won’t find elsewhere, from the rainy city and beyond! We’ll deal with the basics of covering the news, investigative journalism and finding sources in the local area. The event is free for anyone interested in writing for MULE or other community based publications – no previous experience required! All existing writers are also invited to come along and share their skills and experience. For more details and to book a place please email emily@manchestermule.com

For information on Manchester NO2ID see http://manchester.no2id.net/ or contact Dave Page on manchester@no2id.net or 07722 615 398.

+ Norwich +

+ 23rd July – Norwich NO2ID Flyering Fiesta +
Friday 23rd July, from 7.00pm at The Ten Bells onwards we will be embarking on a NO2ID Flyering Fiesta, attempting to hit as many bars and venues as we can with our new ‘Not Scrapped Enough’ information, perhaps taking in a few cheeky pints along the way (ok, so it’s a themed pub crawl, who can blame us?). Anyone welcome! It’s probably best to get there a bit earlier so that we can meet and prepare. We’ll probably have a half in each, or we’d take forever, but can rest for a bit after one or two. See norwichno2id.wordpress.com for a venue list and vague timings! Bottoms up!

If you are interested in the work of the Norwich group, please join their mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.norwich

You can change how you receive our newsletter, or cancel it, by using the ‘Unsubscribe or edit options’ form at the bottom of this page:

http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id-supporters

If you have any problems, please send an e-mail to listmaster@no2id.net

Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 – This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.

NO2ID, Box 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, LONDON W1H 1PJ

categories Uncategorized | charles | 2010-07-15 | comments Comments (0)

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Newsletter No.152

++ NO2ID Supporters’ Newsletter No. 152 – 1st July 2010 ++

+ NOT SCRAPPED ENOUGH +

“NO2ID – aren’t you shutting up shop now? You’ve won” is a question some are asking. But associating the campaign solely with the ID **card** – as iconic as that battle has been – rather misses the point.

NO2ID’s goal was never *just* to stop the ID card – it was, and is, to stop the creation of the database behind it – and any equivalent national registers used to manage the population, what we named the database state. The abolition of ID cards may be a significant victory, but the war is far from over.

We appreciate that many people joined and support NO2ID because of our campaign against the ID card. Those who know us and who fight with us will realise we’ve been campaigning consistently on numerous other fronts. The database state is still growing. It still touches many different aspects of your life.

From medical confidentiality and the right to opt out of the Summary Care Record to the unlawful retention of innocent people’s profiles on the DNA database; from snooping on communications data (your phone, e-mail and browsing records) to rampant government sponsored data trafficking, such as was proposed in Clause 152 of the Coroners & Justice Bill; from highlighting the dangers of population registers and systems like Contactpoint to pressing for more meaningful control over our own personal information – NO2ID must go on.

Should you find yourself having to ‘justify’ the continued existence of NO2ID to friends or colleagues, you might like a copy of our latest information sheet. You can download it here:

http://www.no2id.net/downloads/Not_scrapped_enough.pdf

The ID scheme is not dead yet. We’re working hard to ensure that it is scrapped comprehensively – and that the Identity Documents Bill (the ID-scrapping legislation currently before Parliament) doesn’t re-enact some of the very same problems we’ve been fighting these past six years.

We couldn’t have done it without you. And your support will be more important than ever, as we move into Phase II.

(To be continued…)

What just happened?

+ ID card take up was helped along by freebies +

When the identity documents bill committee looked at the issue of ID card take up this week it was revealed that several thousand of the few people that signed up for ID cards only did so because the government was paying for them. At least 2,500 people at Manchester airport who applied for an ID card during the evaluation period of cards for air-side workers got their cards free. Mike Fazackerley, the customer services director at Manchester airport said: “If you are asking whether initial uptake would have been encouraged by the fact that the card was free, yes, of course. Certainly it would.”

+ Identity documents bill enters committee stage +

The identity documents bill began its Committee Stage on Tuesday (29th June). During the committee stage the bill will be scrutinised and witnesses will give evidence. On Tuesday afternoon the committee heard from a witness selected by the opposition – journalist Angela Epstein (who waxed lyrical about the ID scheme in the Manchester Evening News so much that the Identity and Passport Service decided to offer her the first card). Epstein was up in arms that those who paid £30 for a plastic card should get their money back, she told the committee: “It is a dereliction of parliamentary duty not to give me back my money.” Epstein also told the committee that in the 7 months she had the card she never found a use for it! At one point Epstein locked horns with Nigel Mills MP over the non acceptance of ID cards compared to Scottish Bank notes or cheques in Llandudno. The tussle ended when Epstein said: “You are asking me to think off piste.” and Mills retorted: “How awful.” At today’s sitting Damian Green, the Minister for Immigration told the committee: “There is absolutely no intention for this government ever to return to anything like an ID card project”. Time will tell.
Watch the committee sessions at:
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6400
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6401
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6406

+ Efficiency Group gets Transformational Government guru +

Former Chief Executive of The Football Association Ian Watmore is to become the chief operating officer at the head of the new Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG) at the Cabinet Office. Watmore launched the previous government’s ‘Transformational Government’ programme in 2005, when he was head of the Cabinet Office’s e-government unit. Transformational Government was part of the previous government’s grand vision for the wholesale abolition of privacy. Prior to joining the civil service Watmore was head of consultancy firm Accenture. The Efficiency and Reform Group has been set up to ensure savings across Whitehall and so-called “Arms Length Bodies”. Being at the forefront of the new government’s efficiency drive, it was claimed by the Cabinet Office that the ERG “will be comprised of existing civil servants from across Whitehall” – other than Ian Watmore that is.

+ Summary Care Records Motion gains support +

A new Early Day Motion (EDM 186) introduced in the House of Commons calling on the government to halt all Summary Care Record updates has gained support since our appeal in the last newsletter. A small but growing number of MPs has signed the motion. If you have not already done so please consider writing to your MP asking them to sign Early Day Motion 186.
Read the motion at http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41109&SESSION=905

What’s next?

+ ID Documents Bill Committee issues call for evidence +
Do you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Government’s Identity Documents Bill? If so, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill over the next few weeks. Contact details for the Scrutiny Unit are as follows: Gosia McBride, Deputy Head (Legislation), Scrutiny Unit, 7 Millbank, London, SW1P 3JA. Telephone: 020 7219 8383/8387, Fax: 020 7219 8381, Email: scrutiny@parliament.uk. Submissions should not exceed 3,000 words.
See http://news.parliament.uk/business/news/2010/06/identity-documents-bill-committee-issues-call-for-evidence/

+ 29th June – 8th July – Identity Documents Bill Committee Stage +
The Identity Documents Bill will be committed to a Public Bill Committee shortly following its 2nd reading in the House of Commons on 9th June. The committee is due to conclude its scrutiny of the bill by 8th July.Follow the bill’s progress at http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/identitydocuments.html

+ 24th July – Open Rights Group Conference +
On Saturday 24th July The Open Rights Group (ORG) will be holding the ORGCon conference in London. The event is describe as “the first ever conference dedicated to digital rights in the UK”. Top of the agenda at ORGCon is tackling the Digital Economy Act and the new Government. Also in the agenda will be a discussion ‘Dismantling the Database State’ with speakers including Phil Booth (NO2ID), Terry Dowty (ARCH) and Alex Deane (Big Brother Watch).
Location: College Building, City University London, St John St, London EC1
Tickets and further details: http://orgcon.eventbrite.com/

+ ‘Erasing David’ screenings  +

The producers of Erasing David – the new documentary about privacy, surveillance and the database state – are offering NO2ID groups and supporters the chance to hold screenings of your own *before* the retail launch of the DVD. If you, or a supportive organisation for which you work or volunteer, would like to show the film to an audience in a club, community centre, school or elsewhere then you can get a (paid) license to do so from the Good Screenings website (http://www.goodscreenings.org/films/5/info/). Please note: you will need to ensure that the venue you are using also has the appropriate Premises License. More information and advice on organising screenings in NO2ID’s Erasing David campaign pack update, which you can download from here: http://www.no2id.net/downloads/ED_campaign_update.pdf

“ID” in the news

+ Name the laws you want axed – Daily Mail 1/7/10 +
Nick Clegg will today invite the public to nominate laws, regulations and infringements to their liberty they want repealed in the biggest rebalancing of the relationship between the state and individuals in almost 200 years.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1291007/Nick-Clegg-launches-Freedom-Bill-cut-red-tape-reduce-nanny-state.html

+ ID cards raised £196k in fees income – Computer Weekly 1/7/10 +
The identity card scheme raised £196,000 of income in the last financial year, Home Office minister Damian Green has revealed. The project is in the process of being decommissioned, and Green confirmed that no data would be saved from the National Identity Register.
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/07/01/241812/ID-cards-raised-163196k-in-fees-income.htm

+ ID documents bill likely to become law by July – Computing 30/6/10 +
MPs have agreed a timetable for detailed discussion of the identity documents bill and it is likely to become law by the end of July.
http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2265696/id-timetable-agreed

+ Confidential report reveals ContactPoint security fears – The Register 29/6/10 +
An independent study on the previous government’s controversial child protection database highlighted significant security and privacy risks. Deloitte found significant shortcomings in the security of the ContactPoint database when it evaluated the system back in 2008. But only a summary of its report was ever published prior to May’s general election despite repeated calls by the then opposition to publish the security audit in full.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/29/contactpoint_security/

+ ToryDems add up bill for Labour’s ID scheme – Ther Register 22/6/10 +
The Labour government spent just under £300m to develop the ID card and biometric passport schemes unceremoniously dumped by the ToryDems this month
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/22/id_card_cost/

+ Passport office protest over Budget cuts – 22/6/10 BBC News +
Civil servants have protested outside Durham’s Passport Office over public sector cuts outlined in the Budget. The Chancellor has told MPs that public sector pay will be frozen and 25% cut from government department budgets. It comes after the announcement that more than 60 temporary contracts are being terminated at Milburngate House following the decision to axe ID cards.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/10374520.stm

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter – Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

To see if there’s a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localgroups/
Or, if you’re interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what’s involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Cambridge +

The Cambridge group is planning a celebration when the bill abolishing the ID Cards scheme is actually passed. Watch this space for details …

+ Camden & Islington +

+ 6th July – Camden & Islington NO2ID Monthly Meeting (1st Tuesday of month) +
Tuesday 6th July, 8.00pm at The Kings Head (in the beer garden at the back), 59 Essex Rd, Islington for Camden & Islington NO2ID’s first Tuesday of the month meeting. All welcome. For more info email camden@no2id.net or join the mailing list at: (http://www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.camden).

+ Dorking +

+ 6th July – Dorking NO2ID Monthly Meeting (1st Tuesday of month) +
Tuesday 6th July at 7:30pm, our monthly get-togethers continue at the South Street Wine Bar, Dorking. We have also pencilled in a celebration party for Sunday 8th August – anyone who has helped with the campaign in any way is invited. More details to follow.

If you would like to  help or get involved, contact Geoff Cox (dorking@no2id.net or 01306 631377).

+ Edinburgh +

+ Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – Edinburgh NO2ID Street Stall +
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel.  Do drop by for a chat.  New volunteers – please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ Manchester +

+ 10th July – Manchester NO2ID Monthly Meeting +
Saturday, 10th July, 1-2pm in the Moon Under Water pub on Deansgate for Manchester NO2ID’s monthly meeting ahead of the afternoon street stall. The pub is just opposite St Ann’s Square where the street stall will occur at 2pm, and serves food. Dave will talk about the recent NO2ID Regional Co-Ordinators meeting and the direction for the local and national campaigns now and in the future. We’ll also discuss proposals for a NO2ID Conference for our members and supporters, training for volunteers and our local campaigning and media profile.
http://manchester.no2id.net/content/monthly-meeting-july-2010

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136404833039755

+ 10th July – Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday 12th June, 2-4pm in St Ann’s Square in Manchester City Centre. As you read this, people’s medical details are being uploaded to a system of central databases called the Summary Care Record, without their explicit, informed consent. This scheme has been criticised by the British Medical Association and security experts. Manchester NO2ID will be running a public information stall in St Ann’s Square, telling people about Summary Care Records and helping them make an informed choice about opting out. We’ll also help them stay in touch with NO2ID and keep themselves informed. We’ll meet in the square itself at 2pm to set up shop; feel free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don’t need any experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile!
http://manchester.no2id.net/content/street-stall-july-2010
ttp://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134799073200036

+ Norwich +

+ 23rd July – Norwich NO2ID Flyering Fiesta +
Friday 23rd July, from 7.00pm at The Ten Bells onwards we will be embarking on a NO2ID Flyering Fiesta, attempting to hit as many bars and venues as we can with our new ‘Not Scrapped Enough’ information, perhaps taking in a few cheeky pints along the way (ok, so it’s a themed pub crawl, who can blame us?). Anyone welcome! It’s probably best to get there a bit earlier so that we can meet and prepare. See norwichno2id.wordpress.com for a venue list and vague timings shortly!

If you are interested in the work of the Norwich group, please join their mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.norwich

You can change how you receive our newsletter, or cancel it, by using the ‘Unsubscribe or edit options’ form at the bottom of this page:

http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id-supporters

If you have any problems, please send an e-mail to listmaster@no2id.net

Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 – This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.

NO2ID, Box 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, LONDON W1H 1PJ

categories Uncategorized | charles | 2010-07-01 | comments Comments (0)

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